Marty Marion, 93, a sure-fielding shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals who won the National League's most valuable player award in 1944, died March 15 in St. Louis. The cause of death was not reported.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Mr. Marion was nicknamed the "Octopus" and "Slats" for his long-armed, rangy fielding prowess. He was considered the best shortstop in Cardinals history before Ozzie Smith joined the franchise in 1982.

Mr. Marion joined the Cardinals in 1940 and helped lead the team to four National League pennants between 1942 and 1946. The Cardinals were World Series champions in 1942, 1944 and 1946.

During his 1944 MVP season, Mr. Marion batted only .267, with six homers and 63 runs batted in - numbers that paled next to his teammate Stan Musial's .347 average, 12 homers and 94 RBIs. But Mr. Marion received the award for his excellent fielding and team leadership. He was named to seven All Star teams and finished with a career average of .263.

His career was cut short by a back injury, and he managed the Cardinals in 1951. He made a comeback as a player-manager for the St. Louis Browns in 1952-53 and later managed the Chicago White Sox.

Mr. Marion was born on a farm near Richburg, S.C., and grew up in Atlanta.

His late brother, John Marion, known as Red, had a brief career with the Washington Senators.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; four daughters; a brother; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Michael Goughactor

Michael Gough, 94, a British character actor best known for playing Bruce Wayne's butler in a series of "Batman" movies, died March 17 at his home in England. The cause of death was not reported.

Mr. Gough appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows, including the British science-fiction show "Doctor Who."

He is best remembered for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in the "Batman" franchise, starring opposite Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney in four films between 1989 and 1997.

Mr. Gough won a Tony Award in 1979 for the Alan Ayckbourn comedy "Bedroom Farce."

He had a supporting role in the 1987 Broadway production of Hugh Whitemore's "Breaking the Code," about Alan Turing, a closeted British mathematician who helped solve the German Enigma code during World War II.

Mr. Gough was born in Malaysia and was a conscientious objector during World War II.

Last year, he voiced the Dodo Bird in "Alice in Wonderland," directed by Tim Burton.